School Notes 10/1/2012

Dillan Patel has twice performed at Carnegie Hall but said his experience recently overshadowed anything he's accomplished in New York City.

In memory of Karen Hoyt, South Abington Twp., who died in May, the senior hosted a music concert that sent all proceeds to the Hoyt Family Education Fund.

"I love giving back to the community, and it's a great way to help my friend who suffered the loss," Dillan said. "I want to do anything I can to help out that family."

At the concert, held at the First Presbyterian Church, Dillan played the piano, an instrument he's been learning for 10 years.

miorfino@timesshamrock.com, @miorfinoTT on Twitter

Blue Ridge

After a night spent in the woods sleeping on the ground with just milk and bread to eat, Nate Wellman received an honorary Boy Scout award called the Order of the Arrow.

In order to receive the white sash with a red arrow, Nate also had to dig a ditch 5 inches deep by 2 inches wide and fill it with stone.

Nate was voted the award by the other Boy Scouts in Troop 89.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

One high school senior is already preparing for college.

Zach Rossetti was elected secretary for the chorus. Though he enjoys participating in concerts at the high school and in local competitions, he has other hopes for his leadership position.

"I think holding this office will prepare me for college studies," he said. "I hope to attend college and pursue a degree in music education. I also enjoy all of our productions so I think it will be a lot of fun."

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Delaware Valley

Senior Grace Cadigan was crowned this year's homecoming queen.

She plays varsity field hockey, basketball and lacrosse, as well as excelling in her studies. Grace is a member of student council, junior historians, orchestra and chorus.

"Being involved with school-related activities helped me meet a lot of new people and helped me learn how to manage my time," she said.

She also coaches youth basketball, lacrosse and field hockey and served for the past two years on the Relay for Life committee. Grace volunteers her time with Pennies for Patients, the Pike County Humane Society and United Way's Day of Caring.

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

Senior Elizabeth Wilk has led a pink-ribbon campaign for breast cancer in the school district.

On Friday, Dunmore High School will hold Kickoff for a Cure at the home football game against Honesdale.

The event will raise money for breast cancer awareness. Students will have sold T-shirts and pink ribbons to benefit the Northeast Pennsylvania affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In addition, fans are asked to wear pink to the football game to support breast cancer awareness.

A tradition at Dunmore High School, Elizabeth accepted the leadership role with Kickoff for a Cure to ensure it continues. She set a goal of selling 1,000 ribbons.

"I lost someone close to me because of the disease, and I wanted to do whatever possible to help those who are struggling to fight it," she said.

rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

Elk Lake

Senior Seth Carney is co-editor of the school yearbook.

The book is still in its beginning stages of production.

"Looking at what the editors did last year, they spent countless hours on the yearbook at home, study halls and some classes, because this early in the year we're just writing what direction we want it to go in," Seth said.

Seth is a member of the cross country, track and swimming teams at school. He plans on going into the Marine Corps after graduation.

lzaccagnino@ timesshamrock.com

Forest City

He may only be a freshman, but Jerry Babcock is preparing to enter the workforce.

A member of the life skills class, he and his classmates run a coffee cart at the school. They set prices and take orders and, each morning, deliver a custom order of coffee and sweet treats to teachers throughout the building, learning support teacher Bridget Moran explained.

"I love coffee cart because it's going to help me with what I need to know when I have a real job," Jerry said.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Holy Cross

Thomas Skrutski learned interpersonal, managerial and other skills through Tomorrow's Leaders Today, a program organized through the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Lackawanna.

Tomorrow's Leaders Today is a youth leadership development initiative sponsored by Leadership Lackawanna.

At Holy Cross, Thomas is also a member of Christ the King youth group, history club, and modern and classical languages club.

rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

Lakeland

For years, Siena Cardamone planned to attend law school.

But an experience this year has the junior questioning whether she wants to pursue a career in education.

Since the start of the school year, Siena has served as a teacher's assistant, spending time helping the life skills students.

"I love spending time with them, especially when I get the opportunity to tutor them one-on-one," Siena said. "I really hope I can do this again next year."

Mid Valley

For Dominique Ziegler, working with the school newspaper is about passion, perspective and truth.

The senior will help lead The Spartan Outlook this year as one of the editors-in-chief of the quarterly publication.

"It's a lot of work, and I like putting hard work into it," she said. "Putting your own perspective into it and putting truth into it is what I really like."

Dominique is also involved in the art club. After graduation, she hopes to attend college and study forensic science.

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Montrose

When the last class of the day is over, Joe Vaccaro takes time to volunteer at the Montrose Animal Shelter.

Joe expects nothing in return. What he gains from this volunteering experience is personal satisfaction from helping the animals.

"It is a good thing to do," the sophomore at Montrose Area High School said.

In the future, Joe plans to continue to volunteer, but he also hopes others do so as well.

"People should volunteer more often," Joe said.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

On Friday at Mountain View High School, the walls of the gym will be illuminated by faux moon- and starlight.

"Light Up the Night" is this year's homecoming dance theme. Kari Zupanovich, chairwoman of the dance committee, came up with the idea with help from a group of students, and created decorations for the event, including a lustrous city skyline.

The senior said, "I am very much looking forward to the dance."

Kari is a member of student government and the volleyball, softball and basketball cheerleading teams.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

One North Pocono senior has received leadership training from a Scranton business organization.

One of two students selected in the school district for the program, Brianna Alunni participated in Tomorrow's Leaders Today through the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

The leadership program is designed to give high school students leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills and the opportunity to explore teamwork. North Pocono received a grant for students to participate in the program as a result of their work to implement a suicide prevention screen, TeenScreen.

Brianna also serves as president of the Friends of Rachel Club, an extension of the Rachel's Challenge program that promotes a healthy and positive school environment. A future event planned at the high school is Mix it Up Day, in which students will sit with others whom they normally would not spend their lunch hour with.

rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

Old Forge

Brendan Bordick-Lesavage loves the violin.

As a freshman, he attends honors classes and has been a member of Who's Who of Academic Students since 2009. He has been registered with the U.S. Achievement Academy since 2010 and he plans to continue to study the violin professionally.

He has been participating in school musicals since seventh grade and also plays the violin in his church's choir as well as weekly performances at St. Ann's Basilica.

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

Riverside

As a WVIA artist of the week, senior Hannah Oustrich is representing her school in the visual arts category.

The 17-year-old was recommended for the award by both of her art teachers. Out of all of her pieces, Hannah is most proud of her Hexagon piece, which is included in all posters and postcards for this international exhibition at Library Express at the Steamtown Mall and won an award as the Most Effective High School Ceramic Hexagon.

"I enjoy all forms, but pencil drawing is my favorite," Hannah said.

jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

Scranton

Senior Mikaela Rowe has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.

She is one of 34,000 to be recognized of the 1.5 million who entered the competition.

"It's what I love to do the most," she said. "I hope to play for the rest of my life."

At Prep, Rachel plays soccer and runs track. After high school, she hopes to attend music school to pursue a career in film scoring or composing.

shofius@timesshamrock.com

Susquehanna Community

One of WVIA's most recent Artists of the Week got to take an art trip of a lifetime over the summer.

Brendan Lamb, along with five other students and five adults, traveled to France. He was given the opportunity to expand his artistic palate at the Louvre and Impressionist Museum.

"I was able to study the artwork, and I especially like the portraits and the sculptures," said Brendan.

He hopes to be an art teacher. Brendan enjoys sketching and painting and also likes to take nature walks.

kbolus@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

Beth Gillow is maximizing her senior year.

She is involved in six different sports and organizations and holds several leadership positions. She was selected as a band drum major and serves as captain of the soccer team. She is also involved in the choral group Vivaci!, the school musical, the National Honor Society and the track and field team.

"I work hard to maintain a balanced schedule making sure my priorities are set," Beth said. "In the end, taking things one step at a time and making it a point to enjoy myself allows me to keep that balance."

rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter

Western Wayne

Kaelyn Jacques has a simple response to why she chose her senior project.

"I just enjoy working with special needs kids," said Kaelyn, who used years of competitive cheerleading with Keystone Extreme All-Stars of Olyphant to help with her a senior project.

She worked with girls and boys from 4 to 18 years old to develop 2½-minute routines performed in competition.

Kaelyn, a National Honor Society member, is also a regional, state and national winner for Future Business Leaders of America as well as Region 22 secretary for FBLA. She has participated in the NEIU reading competition since sixth grade and was recently recognized as an outstanding senior by the North Pocono School Board.

rward@timesshamrock.com, @rwardTT on Twitter

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